Small guide for collecting coins (and banknotes) from the Grand duchy of Finland

Grand duchy of Finland (aka finland under the rule of the russian empire) got its own currency in 1860. Only 1 and 3 markkaa banknotes existed then. These are worth usually depending on condition 200-3000€.

Later, testing issues were minted. 20 penniä coin was not accepted as it was "too large". The trial issues cost many thousands except the also rejected 2 penniä copper coin that is (a bit) cheaper, sold for 2000€ once. I suggest not buying these coins. Unless you are a millionaire.

1864-1870 the first coins were minted. 1864 coins included only 1 penni (1000€+ usually, low mintage), 50 penniä (Cheapest of the finnish 1864 coins, only about 20-60€) and 1 markka (1864 costs about 80-200€)

Later the others (5, 10, 25P and 2 markkaa) were minted in 1865. They had large lettering until 1870. These coins can be found at Finnish flea markets (but not usually) ive seen a 1865 5 penniä coin and bought a 2 markkaa coin. Im still missing 1P, 5P and 25P but here is a picture of what I have from that time:


Again: The smaller, the rarer. I suggest looking for these either on ebay or if visiting Finland, search the flea markets! You can find treasures there! My 2MK only costed me 15€!

Time passed, and 5 years later the size of the letters changed. They became smaller. Alexander II lived to this so there is alexander II coins with small and large letters. 1878, gold standard, LMU...Finland started using gold. I only have the largest gold coin here, but there were only two: 10MK (3g) and 20MK (6g) Here is some coinage of this time:

(forgive my bad photographs)

Alexander II died brutally. After this, Alexander III became the tsar/emperor of Russia. Alexander III coins are even more rare as there was a lot from A II in circulation.
I have 3:

Alexander III died of kidney diceases in 1894, and the crown was given to the young Nicholas II. He put much pressure on Finland. He was not prepared to rule and was not teached how to rule so he was not a very good ruler. UNC coins are pretty usual from this time. But they minted a lot of coins during his time:

(Camera problems.Time to get a new one?)

And, nicholas did not have a good tsar life as he was kicked out and later executed. The provisional government ruled for only under one year but minted a lot of the two small silver coins and all the copper coins. Here you can see, good condition ones do not cost much:

I love them because they show the history of a pretty small country, and collecting all types wont cost much.

Alexander II time type 1 coins: 7. I have 4/7
Alexander II type two coins: I only have 6/9, if we count the gold ones and the A III same looking 50P
Alexander III coins (the silver coins looked exactly the same, only the years are different) 2/3
Nicholas II coins: Again only the copper coins have changed. 3/3
Provisional government changed the small silver coins. These do not have a crown. 5/5

If every type and year is counted, there is 221 coins. 19 of these are gold coins.

Something on banknotes:
The 1909 series is the cheapest one. I have 5Mk, 10Mk and 20Mk and the 1915 1Mk. Another cheap one is the 1916 1Mk.

1898 series is not as cheap. The banknotes are usually in bad condition and cost 20-70€. Good condition ones cost much more. Older banknotes than the 1890's cost atleast over 100€.

So, do you have coins from the grand duchy of Finland? I'd love to see if you have, I could even say Im addicted to them!

You might want to copy-paste post this in the Finland WCC (World Coins Chat). Maybe expand it to include post 1917 Finnish coinage information?

https://en.numista.com/forum/topic48915.html

Quote: "CassTaylor"​You might want to copy-paste post this in the Finland WCC (World Coins Chat). Maybe expand it to include post 1917 Finnish coinage information?
​
​https://en.numista.com/forum/topic48915.html

​This is just a very small mini guide for collecting Finnish coins of this time. + It was almost a different place before 1917. I could of course do that too

Very interesting info! :)
Really liked your explanations regarding the mintage of the coins and the possibilities of getting it.

Alexander II type1 - 5P
Nikolai II - 1P, 5P, 10P.
Provisional Gov - 5P and 50P
Still don´t have any banknote.

From the GD Finland that´s all.
From Finland independent (until Euro), I have all except silver, comemmoratives, and the only circulation coin missing is 5Mk(1972-1978).




and by the way:
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Great topic Monninen1 (and some great coins)!!!!

I've just spent a couple of hours googling Finland.

I see there are one or two coins I have to get now.

Thanks!

Quote: "pietr"​Very interesting info! :)
​Really liked your explanations regarding the mintage of the coins and the possibilities of getting it.
​
​Alexander II type1 - 5P
​Nikolai II - 1P, 5P, 10P.
​Provisional Gov - 5P and 50P
​Still don´t have any banknote.
​
​From the GD Finland that´s all.
​From Finland independent (until Euro), I have all except silver, comemmoratives, and the only circulation coin missing is 5Mk(1972-1978).
​
​
​
​
​and by the way:
​​
​

​Nice coins!

Here are my banknotes:
1MK 1915:

It is blank on the other side. It was produced as a replacement for the silver 1 markka coin, but replaced with another 1 markka banknote the next year that had better security features. These banknotes are probably the cheapest. Under 9€ can get you a good condition one!
5MK 1909 (7€):

And 10(12€) and 20(20€)MK

Thanks for sharing, it was a good read, now I must read up on Finland!
PS those are all beautiful coins that you have, make one want the set.....
good luck filling in your gaps!

If you are ever going to visit a Finnish numismatic auction, you can get the gold coins for a pretty cheap price. About 350€ couls be enough to get both of the gold coins from an auction. I made a mistake when I bought that coin from a shop for a too large price.